The Ultimate Weapon of Magic and Science

"I can't understand your actions."

The delicate voice seethed with rage. Despite efforts to repress it, a strong scent of dissatisfaction was evident. Arms crossed and her expression sour, she wore the look of resentment.

Her capricious emotions were laid bare for the elf to see. The sight of the cheerful mean before her, along with his somber entourage of bodyguards, made her stomach churn. She was tempted to clutch the base of this sickening organ.

"Displaying such a scary expression again, you realize? Constant complaining like an old lady is bad for your skin. It might wrinkle and sag."

With a sip of the sticky bitter drink and a half-joking, half-teasing tone, Li Lin took control of the conversation before the blushing girl could rebut.

"Having more power isn't a mistake, right? To accumulate more controllable power sometimes requires putting aside petty considerations for a while. Of course — certain principles must persist. Without principles, you lose everything."

"Is that so?"

Her cheeks twitched unnaturally, suppressing the urge to retort. Her eyes warned, "I won't be so easily deceived".

The same feeling was mutual.

"These guys are as good as dead."

The statement was shocking; meaning literal and reality clashed. By the time the elf processed her "Huh?" response, it was too late.

"I don't mean in the physical or mental sense, but rather socially dead."

Assassins may have vast types of identities to conceal their nefarious activities while traveling among kingdoms. However, once that thin veil is stripped away, they become fugitives or guillotine sacrifices. Society refuses to welcome such individuals. Either fleeing or facing death— even the best assassins cannot escape this fate.

Mercenaries, who perform the same task, are by comparison, slightly more bearable and likely to meet a good end - let alone the knights who are revered by the people. Retirement, return to normal life? A joke, a cold one at that.

"It's understandable they struggle to adapt to normal life, but that doesn't justify siccing a gang of murderous thugs who would kill for money next to you. I can't tell if you're a daring strategist or just a naive fool."

A prolonged sigh as if lamenting someone's future— a future brought to ruins by overconfidence.

"You lost 500 knights, including elite knights who serve the Count and this parish. Don't you think someone should take responsibility?"

"…I see."

Take responsibility? Significant figures taking responsibility for "leadership" will undoubtedly seek scapegoats to shoulder the "primary responsibility". Like those who tricked the naive and devout bishops and counts, providing misleading information and leading the glorious knights into a trap. Those who just stood by and watched as knights fought bravely until the last man, then show up unscathed just in time to get rid of the assassins, the scum, the cowards, the heretics…

No one but these unlucky assassins.

No matter what they say, no one would believe them—if they could speak at all.

"I think they should thank the Mother Goddess Mafa if they get to keep their intact corpses. After all, there's nothing more reassuring than having the dead keep secrets."

With no choice but to pledge loyalty to Li Lin, these assassins knew the only alternative was death. Skilled survivalists, they knew how to handle their situation.

"You're really good at handling situations like this."

Rolling her eyes at his flawless smile, the experienced elf muttered quietly to herself.

With his casual deception, elaborate schemes, and unyielding leadership, the only option was to succumb to him.

"I too don't have a choice. My power is currently limited to basic personal strength and Nidhogg's loyalty. Apart from this brute force approach, I have no better solution. Once the power around me reaches a certain level, we should naturally be able to avoid situations like these."

"... Start by minding your own business,"

"Bearing a headache, you wear your thoughts all over your face. Certainly, you don't expect me to gouge out my eyeballs?"

His fingers that combed over the black hair pointed at his crimson eyes that reminded her of the word "blood". In a seemingly helplessly way, he shrugged and wore a smile of resignation.

"How much do you think you can trust those oaths of loyalty? After all, they're assassins willing to kill for money and switch employers at any moment. They're temporarily compliant, who knows what they will do in the future."

Unable to bear his childlike conduct, the elf brought the argument back to the original topic with a frown.

A question, and a test.

She wanted to confirm something.

The cunningness and caliber of this man.

"A person who kills for money can betray for money, a person who kills out of faith and spirit can also betray for similar reasons. The world doesn't have an 'unconditional absolute trust'. The relationship of 'exchanging loyalty for extended survival'—I have with them— can be expressed simply with these words. If they have thoughts of breaking away my control, I'll let them rest in peace. They're aware of this, and know well I will do so. Unless they're driven crazy by a tantalizing lure, they won't even entertain the thought."

"…That's good."

"I still can't understand him."

A sigh that seemed to be chewing on words drifted into the wind. Contrary to her words, she was not calm.

Insight beyond his years, sophistication in his actions, formidable strength, exceptional intelligence...

Excessive perfection and mystery added an elusive quality to his exotic charm.

Beauty on the brink of dangerous equilibrium—if you were to describe that inexplicable aura, this is how it would be depicted.

Like a meticulously crafted work of art, not merely for viewing, much less the superficial pleasures pursued by the elite.

"…What on earth are you?"

Once again, the question rolled off her lips. Compared to before, the hostility and vigilance had somewhat diminished, thus revealing her bewilderment more prominently.

"Humans, freaks, monsters, and aliens. What you perceive them as, that's what they are. There's no shame in it. Analyzing things in a way that benefits oneself is a natural biological defense mechanism. It's quite normal behavior."

"Um... Are you upset?"

The open and straightforward tone dropped as a sense of discomfort filled the air, much like someone who'd done something wrong. The regret filled his restless eyes.

"Why do you have... such strange ideas?"

His gentle smile remained flawless, his tone still light.

But it was perceptible.

The straightforward question seemed to disorient him, inducing doubt.

As expected—

"Our people have been scattered in exile for thousands of years and have always been referred to as such by humans and beastmen alike - 'Evil Creations', 'Dregs', 'Monsters'."

Their situations were quite similar.

"This insulting tag and experiences of robbery and massacre have always accompanied us, so... I apologize."

"Why apologize? You haven't done anything wrong."

Just like a child stubbornly holding back tears while being relentlessly pursued into a corner.

"Can you...tell me your name?"

She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the slightly chilly air of early spring. Her words came out tinged with a hint of shyness and a dash of hesitation.

She discarded certain tangled thoughts, her smile faded for the first time, and her completely calm expression with no trace of emotion surfaced. Her gaze levelled with the girl's green pupils, slightly above her height.

"Li Lin - Siegfried Otto Lilin."

It was nothing but a pseudonymous amalgamation of fabricated names and standby codes, a moniker for the convenience of the world's recognition and memory, as well as a combination of aliases filled with irony and lies.

"Siegfried - Otto - Lilin."

The girl had a similarly composed expression as she repeated the name word for word.

She made Li Lin question for the first time with her simple actions.

It was nothing but a alias—

Why?

So serious?

So careful?

"Black-haired visitor Li Lin. I, Brynhild Friedricia from Niflheim valley, am willing to guide you to our homeland. However, I hope you can agree to a few conditions of mine, otherwise—"

"Don't make promises lightly; you are a girl who keeps her oaths. Being careless in swearing during a negotiation will put you in a predicament. Is it acceptable to result in this for not thinking thoroughly at the moment?"

His speech retained its emotionless tone without any variance, but was slightly hastened.

It was just like being at the end of one's tether and showing frustration.

This peculiar nervous signal had never occurred before, and Li Lin had to activate a background check through the automatic diagnostic program. His crimson eyes looked at the girl in contemplation.

"After consideration, there should indeed be rules. Doing something I'm not accustomed to makes me uncomfortable."

As she said these playful words, Brynhild's face brightened with a radiant smile, reminiscent of a spring greenfield.

Brynhild's beautiful appearance was always captivating, regardless of her expression. Throughout all this time, she had shown a plethora of expressions.

But she had never smiled.

"Very fitting."

Li Lin made this simple but accurate evaluation.

Most likely, nothing was more fitting than a heartfelt smile with Brynhild."

"Guard the secrets of my clan, do not use violence indiscriminately in our land, and—"

Her flawless smile held a trace of mischief as her rosy lips slowly changed shape.

"Please go to our territory as a knowledge provider, Mr. Li Lin."

"I've been played."

For the first time, the young man tasted the feeling of being teased by a girl. He held his forehead which felt no pain and let out a hearty laugh. His cheeks pulled up the corners of his mouth, resembling a self-deprecating smile out of frustration."

Looks just like a genuine smile of self-mockery due to helplessness."

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Note: Li Lin's full name is Siegfried Otto Lilin. The family name 'Li Lin' is derived from the Jewish Law, recorded as: "Adam and his first wife Lilith bore the demon child Lilin (definitely not a Chinese name)". The given name 'Siegfried' comes from the greatest hero in Norse mythology, Siegfried. Therefore, the combination of these names is sarcastic in itself.